By Emma Bynes
@emma_bynes4
Libraries and schools everywhere are facing the epidemic of having their material challenged or banned because of “explicit” material. Oct. 6 marked the start of Banned Books Week around both America and the World.
According to an official website from the American Library Association (ALA), Banned Books Week aims to highlight the value of free and open access to information. However the informative holiday isn’t just about books that have been banned — it opens celebration to books that have also been “challenged” or nearly banned in some areas.
This year’s week runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 and attempts to focus on censorship. Avid readers are encouraged to check out or read a book from the top challenged books of 2024.
These books include The Perks of Being a Wallflower as well as a book by John Green, who is very popular among students from Crash Course, titled Looking for Alaska. Even last year’s Arts and Humanities speaker, Jason Reynolds, has multiple banned or challenged books, including his New York Times best seller All American Boys.
According to the ALA, “The most common justifications for censorship provided by complainants were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and covering topics of race, racism, equity, and social justice.”
Some may argue that these themes are difficult for young readers, and those in support of libraries and schools say that is an individual decision to make. Just because a book is on the banned or challenged list does not mean that the work is completely out of commission. In fact, many basic high school or college reading material is on this list.
Popular titles that are in the “Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 2010-2019” include The Kite Runner, Hunger Games, To Kill a Mockingbird and Of Mice and Men — just to name a few. This list includes light-hearted children’s novels like Captain Underpants as well. Many of the states that seem to come up most often for banning books are Florida, Texas, Iowa and Utah.
The most popular argument and debate on banning books is the issue of the first amendment to the Constitution, and if it is a violation of freedom of speech. According to Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan company that examines the First Amendment closely, the issue is far from black and white.
“Removing a book from a public school curriculum or library or restricting access for some students may violate the First Amendment rights of students… These actions only violate the First Amendment if a government official removes a book or restricts access to it because they dislike the ideas or disagree with the viewpoints contained in that book.”
For more information on banned books, including lists of the most challenged books from each decade or year and ways to raise awareness for banned books, visit the American Library Association or contact our library services.
Photo courtesy of the American Library Association